Washing machine



Feb, "14, 1939.

S. S, HOLLAND WASHING MACHINE Filed Feb. 27, ,193e v4 sheets-Smm 1 ATTORNEY Feb. 14, 19539.

wAsHiNG MACHINE',

Filed Feb. 27'1936 67d ./7 na'.

ATTORNEY ills: i l .Irfan/fulfil,

S. S. HOLLAND WASHING MACHINE Feb. 14, 1939.

./fla. y A TolNEY l Feb. 14, 1939. 5gg. HQLLAND 2,146,740

'WASHING MACHINE l Filed Feb. 27, 195s v 4 sheets-sheet 4 Patented Feb. 14, 1939 PATENT OFFICE WASHING MACHINE v Sidney s. Holland, Sandusky, ohio, assignor, by mesne assignments, to The Apex Electrical Manufacturing Company, Cleveland, hio, a

corporation of Ohio Application 4February 27, 1936, Serial No. 66,047

13 Claims.

j My invention relates to washing machines of dolly type, and has for its principal object to provide a dolly constructed and adapted for operation whereby dirt may be removed from clothing, fabrics, or the like, that are contained in the tub of the machine along with wash water, by combined beating, rubbing and ushing actions resulting from reciprocation of the dolly.

Dirt tending to soil clothing or other articles of fabric, whether consisting of fine, solid particles, or greasy substances, becomes lodged, not only in the interstices between threads of the fabric, but also in and between bers of the individual threads, to which it adheres with such tenacity as to resist dislodgment merely by flushing with water. The threads and bers -of the A fabrics must, therefore, be distorted to dislodge or loosen the dirt particles from the threads andA bers so thatthe particles can dissolve, precipi- 20 tate in the water, or be floated o with soap. 'f

While modern washing machines eiect dislodgment .and removal of dirt from fabrics more quickly and conveniently than was possible with older and cruder methods, such as pounding the u fabrics While wet between at surfaces, rubbing the fabric while wet vover c'orrugated surfaces, tumbling or pushing the fabric back and forth in a tub of water and simultaneously ushing water through the fabric, as with machines -of reciprocating cylinder, peg dolly or agitator type, or pulling the dirt from the fabric as with machines of the vacuum .beater type, the principle of flushing away thefdirt after its dislodgment by distortion of the threads and bers of the fabric is the same today as it always has been.

My invention involves the same principles; the advantage claimed for it being that with a dolly embodying Amy improvements, bothbeating and 40 rubbing of the fabrics and ushing of dirt therefrom may be accomplished either simultaneously or in rapid sequence to eiect the desired cleansing more simply, quickly and efficiently than with devices heretofore known or used for the same purpose. 1

A preferred form of washing machine embodying my invention 4is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a washing malchine including a dolly embodying my invention, a part of the tub of the machine being broken away to illustrate the dolly submerged in wash water. l

Fig. 2 is avertical section on! the line 2 2, Fig. 5, particularly illustrating thel tub, the dolly,

(ci. sli- 54) Fig. 7 is an enlarged, central, vertical section of the upper-end of the dolly spindle and barrel,

v'particularly illustrating the clutch for operatively connecting thespindle with'the barrel.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged, detail, perspective view of the clutch plug member of the barrel, and a part of the clutch socket member of the spindle.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged section through the dolly, spindle barrel and clutch plug, on' the line 9 9, Fig. 7.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the lower porv tion of the machine tub, parts being broken away to show the motor and its driving connections with the dolly shaft.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

I designates a tub, here shown to be of double wall construction and circular in cross-section, including an inner member 2 having a rounded lower edge 3, a at bottom 4 having a slightly raised central section 5, and an upper edge 6 providedA with an inwardly directed bead 1 forming a seat 8 for a removable cover 9 and a bend I0 forming a lap joint with the outer tub member I I.

The tub members 2 and I are preferably of ,different diameter to provide space between their side walls for insulating material I 2, and the outer member II has a skirt portion I3 extending below the bottom of the inner member for support on legs I4 that are attached thereto by fastening devices I5. The skirt forms a chamber forhousing the motor I6, its shaft I'l, gearing indicated at I8 for actuating the wringer drive shaft I9, a crank 20 driven by th@- gearing, and a pitman 2i operatively connecting the crank with an arm 22 keyed through a link mechanism 23. The arm 22 is secured cna' shaft 24 journalled in suitable bearings and extending vertically into the inner tub member at the center thereof for reciprocating a dolly.

Surrounding the shaft 24', within and at the center of the tub 2, is a tapered, tubular spindle 25 having an enlarged base 26 seated on the raised portion 5 of the tub bottom 4 and having a neck 21 extending through an aperture 28 in said raised portion into threaded engagement with a.` collar annularspaceibetweenthehousingandthe.

dolly barrel presently' described, is a disk 38, and

overlying the disk is a washer 39. Located abovethe ,disk and washer, and keyed to the shaft 24 byapin orthelikeisaclutchmember, circular in cross-section to provide a bearing for the dolly barrel, later described. The clutch member 42 has arectangular socket 43 extending diametrlcally over the top of the shaft and opening through the outer end thereof. The lower end of the spindle is stepped form the bottom bearing flange 44 of substantial area for stabilizing mounting of the spindle on .thebottomofthetubandseatsandfor supporting the bearing rings 4l and 4I.

The construction above described is all in accoi-dance with common practice and is illustrated to disclose a washer with which my invention is associated, asnowto bedescribed.

The dolly, indicated generally at 49, includes a body member 5l preferably of heavy sheet or light cast metal and of frustro-pyramidal shape, the side walls 5l of the body being progressively stepped from their larger dimensions at the bottomtotheirsmallerdimensionsatthetopto provide a succesion of rubbing surfaces l52 resemblingtheribsofanordinarywashboard, but even more sharply defined because of the angular meeting of theshelf and riser portions 53-54 of. the stepped walls 5l, theshelf and riser portions being arranged substantially tangential to arcs of oscillation abouttheaxisofthe dolly. Thebody 5l is preferably four-sided and constructed of a single piece, or the meeting edges of adjacent sidesmaybewelded or otherwisesealedtomake the body water-tight, and the upper edges of the side members are likewise sealed to a top closureplate 55.

Extending centrally through the body from a point slightly above' the bottom plate thereof, and through the top plate 55 to a height slightly below the top of the tub when the parts are assembled, is a tapered barrel 55 of a diameter at its lower end to seat on a supporting ring 48 at' the base of the spindle 25 and having an annular recess 5,1, seating bearing ring 58 engaging bearmg rin.; 41.

The upper end of the barrel 5i is reduced in diameter to form a dome 59 having a socket GII, circular in cross-section and dimensioned to receive and form a bearing for the clutch member lthe dome.-

swpended'from the cap sz, by a pin sa or the like, for sudabie travel in the ming 6| in nsponse to movement of the cap over the dome, is a clutch plug 54 adapted for into the socket 43 when the slots in the clutch member and cap are in to operatively conneet the dolly shaft and barrel for cllation ot the dolly in response to co movement of the shaft. 65 designates a groove in one of the side faces of the clutchplug 54, and 55 a ball movable in a channel $1 in the side of the dome and urged to contact with the base of said groove byaspring tlheldintheclmnnelbyaplugl. The ball and spring thus serve as a latch to yieldingly hold the clutch plug in adilted position.

Attentionisdirectedtothefac'tthatthedistances across the corners Il at the base of the dolly are such that they move in close proximity tothe rounded bottom edgeofthetub, asshown in Figs. A3 and 5. n

Vent holes Il and 12 areprovided in the plate 55 and the barrel 55 respectively,l for preventing any air pressures or vacumns being formed which wouldaiect easyinsertionorrrenewalofthe dolly from the tub.

Assuming the tub and operating parts of the machine to be constructed and as described, the dolly isinsertedintothetubwith its barrel tted overv the stationary central housing in frictional contact therewith at the upper and lower bearingrpoints, and with the bottom of the dollyinsuchcloseproximitytothe bottom of the tub as to prevent arcles being washed from passing beneath the lower edge of the dolly, while allowing ample clearance to avoid interference with oscillation of the dolly.

AIlhe drivingparts ol themachinearestartedin operation by turning the motor switch to rotate the wringer drive shaft and oscillate the dolly shaft through the pitman 2| and'crank arm 22.

Further assuming that a suilicient quantity of water for washing a determined quantity of clothes or other articles has been deposited in the tub, the dolly is started in operation by projection of the clutch plug 54 on the cap 52 into the socket 43 in the clutch member 42 on the shaft 24. The dolly, thus clutched to the shaft, will oscillate therewith, setting up currents in the water in response to centrifugal force generated by limited rotary movement of those portions of the dolly of greater radius, first in one direction and then in the other, and deflection of the currents from the side of the tub; that part of each of the risers of each side wall of the pyramidal body between its longitudinal center and one of its ends serving as a blade to force the water outwardly and laterally when the dolly is moved in one direction, and the portion of the riser between such 'center point and its opposite end likewise serving to force the water outwardly and laterally in the opposite direction when travel of the dolly is reversed.

The greatest force of the currents thus set up occur at the bottom of the tub where the risers are of greatest length, the forces of the currents gradually diminishing as the lengths of the risers decrease toward the top of the body, the currents taking a course outwardly from the center points and along the wall of the tub to convergence, thence upwardly along the wall of the tub, inwardly to the dolly and down the wall of the dolly to rejoin the upward iiow on approximately the line of the arrows, Fig. 1, a slight suction being created adjacent the wall ofthe dolly along said center lines that aids in direction and maintenance of the currents. Oscillation of the dolly tends to move the water circumferentially as well as radially, thus causing currents set up by opposite ends of the blade-like portions of the side walls of the dolly to meet tangentially and proceed together in rolling, unified iiow.

After the dolly has been placed in operation the articles of clothing or fabrics to be cleansed are dropped into the wash water and picked up by the currents'to circulate therewith, the circulating and rolling forces ofthe currents being suiicient to tumble the articles about as they are carried along in the current, so that different portions and both faces of the fabrics are successively presented to the risers for impact thereby and to distort the threads and fibers of the fabrics and flush water through the fabric just as such effect is produced by beating with other types vof washing apparatus, and the. articles carried downwardly over the steps or ribs of the dolly to distort the threads and fibers by a rubbing contact with the edges of the stepped portions of the side walls of the dolly just as such effect is produced by rubbing of clothing or pieces of fabric against an ordinary washboard.

It is apparent, therefore, that with a dolly constructed and operated according to my invention I am able to secure the combined advantages of beating, rubbing and flushing effected with washing machines and devices heretofore in separate use, but by a single operation.

It has been determined from experience thatA when operating to capacity, a machine of this lgeneral type will work satisfactorily with a load of about eight pounds of articles to be cleansed, but that regardless of the load a full charge of water is usually required. With a dolly of my improved construction I can, howeverpropor tion the water to the amount of the load without impairing the washing operation, thus eiecting a saving in water and soap, as well as a saving of labor in supplying and disposing of the surplus water.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A washing machine including a tub, means for supporting a dolly in the tub, a dolly supported by said meansI for oscillation on an axis substantially perpendicular to the bottom of the tub and including adownwardly and outwardly inclined sidewall sloping in a radial direction froml said axis and having a series of transverse rubbing surfaces on its outer face, and means for oscillating the dolly.

2. A washing machine including a tub, means for supporting a dolly in the tub, a dolly supported by said means for oscillation on an axis substantially perpendicular to the bottom of the tub, and including a downwardly and outwardly in- Y clined `side wall sloping in a radial direction from said axis and having vertically spaced, horizontal rubbing surfaces on its outer face, and means for oscillating the dolly.

3. A washing machine including a tub, meansfor supporting a dolly in the tub, a dolly supported by said means for oscillation on an axis substantially perpendicular to the bottom of the tub and including a downwardly and outwardly inclined side wall sloping in a'radial direction from said axis and having vertically spaced, transverse rubbing surfaces on its outer face, and means for oscillating the dolly.

4. A`washing machine including a tub, means for supporting a dolly in the tub, a. dolly supported by said means for oscillation onan axis substantially perpendicular to the bottom of the tub and including a frustro member having a noncircular perimeter to form a downwardly and outwardly flared side wall having spaced, horizontal rubbing surfaces on its outer face increasing in width from the top to the bottom of the dolly, and means for oscillating the dolly.

5. A washing machine including a tub, means for supporting a dolly in the tub, a dolly supported by said means for oscillation on an axis substantially perpendicular tothe bottom of the tub and including -a frustro pyramidal body forming a plurality of side walls each disposed angularly relative to an adjacent wall and having spaced transverse protuberances on its outer face adapted for scrubbing contact by articles of fabric circulating downwardly with wash water along the sides of the dolly, and means for oscillating the dolly. Y

6. A washing machine including a tub, mean for supporting a dolly in the tub, a dolly supported by said means for oscillation on an axis substantially perpendicular to the bottom of the tub and including a frustro'pyramidal body forming a plurality of side walls each disposed angularly relativeto an adjacent wall and provided with alternate, transverse, vertical, beatingportions and horizontal rubbing portions, and means for oscillating the dolly.

7. A washing machine including a tub, means for supporting a dolly in the tub, a dolly supported by said means for oscillation on an axis substantially perpendicular to the bottom of the tub and including a, plurality of downwardly and outwardly flared side walls each disposed angularly relative to an adjacent'wall, and provided with alternate, transverse, vertical, beating portions and horizontal rubbing portions arranged substantially tangential to arcs rloi oscillation about said axis,v and means for oscillating the dolly.

8. A washing machine including a tub, means for supporting a dolly in the tub, a dolly supported by said means for oscillation on an axis substantially perpendicular to the bottom of the tub and including a side wall stepped to provide alternate risers arranged substantially tangen-y tial to arcs of oscillation about said axis and water radially within the tub and for beating contact with'articles of fabric conducted by said currents downwardly along said side wall in response to oscillation of said dolly and rubbing surfaces adapted for contact with said articles during said downward travel thereof, and means for oscillating the dolly.

9. A washingl machine including a tub, meansfor supporting a dolly in the tub, a dolly supported by said means for oscillation on an axis substantially perpendicular to the bottom of the tub and including a side wall having riser portions substantially perpendicular to the bottom of the tub adapted. for creating circulatory currents of wash water in the tub in response to oscillation of the dolly and for beating articles of fabric flowing downwardly in said currents along the side of the dolly, step portions substantially horizontal-with the bottom 'of the tub and edge portions connecting the riser and step portions adapted for rubbing contact by said articles of fabric during said downward ilow,said riser and 'connecting edge portions being arranged in planes tangential to arcs of oscillation about said axis and means for oscillatingthe dolly.

10. A washing machine including a tub, means for supporting a dolly in the tub, a dolly suptub and including a downwardly flared side wall having riser portions substantially perpendicular to the bottom of the tub adapted for creating circulatory currents of wash water in the tub in response to oscillation of the dolly and for beating articles of fabric flowing downwardly in by articles of fabric circulating downwardly with said currents along the side of the dolly, step portions substantially horizontal with the bottom of the tub and edge portions connecting the riser and step portions adapted for rubbing contact by said articles of fabric during said downward flow, and means for oscillating the dolly.

11. A washing machine including a tub, a spindle insaid tub, a dolly including a barrel oscillatably mounted vou said spindle, and a plurality of downwardly and outwardly flared side walls having stepped outer faces forming-alternate vertical beating and horizontal rubbing surfaces, a shaft extending through said spindle, means for-oscillating the shaft, and means for selectively connecting the dolly with the shaft.-

' guano faces sloping outwardly and downwardly 'and increasing in width from the apex toward the base of the dolly, means supporting the dolly within the tub for oscillation abouty its axis, means for oscillating the dolly, and a plurality of protuberances on said faces adapted for rubbing contact wash water over the faces of the dolly.

13. A washing machine including a tub, a dolly of substantially frustro pyramidal shape to form faces sloping outwardly and downwardly and in'- creasing in width from the apex toward the base of the dolly, means supporting the dolly within the tub for oscillation about its axis, means for oscillating the dolly,'and a plurality of progressively stepped rib-like portions to form shelf and riser portions extending transversely acro the width of said faces forA contact by articles of fabric circulating downwardly with wash water over the faces of the dolly. 

